The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 10, 2012
Filed:
Jun. 03, 2009
John E. Hill, Shelby Township, MI (US);
John E. Hill, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Magna International Inc., Aurora, Ontario, CA;
Abstract
A method of manufacturing a vehicle structure including a laser welded fastener includes positioning a first panel in engagement with a second panel to provide access to the first panel by a laser beam. The first panel is laser welded to the second panel. A fastener including projections axially extending from a first surface of a flange are formed. The projections are engaged with a surface of the first panel to space apart the first surface of the flange from the surface of the first panel. Laser welding is initiated by directing a laser beam toward one of the flange of the fastener and the first panel. Gas is vented from an area between the first surface of the flange and the surface of the first panel. The flange is laser welded to the first panel.